Selectively removable panel assembly



Get. 17, 1967 J. w. MEDDICK SELECTIVELY REMOVABLE PANEL ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 16, 1965 INVENTOR. JOHN W MEDD/CK ATTORNEY Oct. 17, 1967 .1. W. MEDDICK SELECTIVELY REMOVABLE PANEL ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed April 16, 1965 K mm mm 55 MM W M J ATTORNEY United States Patent 3 347,009 SELECTIVELY REMdVABLE PANEL ASSEMBLY John W. Meddick, Weston, Conm, assignor to Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation, a corporation of Virginia Filed Apr. 16, 1965, Ser. No. 448,749 Claims. (Cl. 52-545) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates to a building construction whereby a series of overlapping panels are secured to support members by clip-type fasteners so that selective panels can be readily removed from the series and replaced,

as necessary.

Various forms of combinations of such panel members have been suggested, and most often comprise a number of spaced panel members 'with opposed ends overlapping one another. Various systems have also been proposed for securing such panel members to the building structure; however, in all such proposals known to me, the design is such that once the panel members are secured it is most diflicult to remove any single panel member, for example when it becomes damaged. The most common expedient is to merely position a new panel member on top of the damaged panel member and nail the two together; of course, the resulting appearance in such a procedure is often unsightly.

In accordance with the instant invention, a novel construction has been developed which enables any given panel member to be completely removed from its installed position without removal of any other panel member. The damaged panel may thus be entirely replaced, rather than merely covered, and the resulting appearance is the same as that of the initial instalaltion. These desirable ends are obtained by a unique configuration of the panel members which allow them to be removably but securely held to a novel clip member attached to the desired building structure. The design is such that the panel member adjacent the damaged panel member is merely pushed out of a position in which it retained the damaged panel member in place, the damaged panel member is removed and a new panel member substituted therefor, and the adjacent panel member is moved back into a position again retaining the new panel member in place. This design is applicable to various building installations, such as siding on the Walls and roof elements.

It is accordingly a primary object of this invention to provide an improved panel member for use in building structures.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a panel member which is adapted to form siding, roof elements, and the like.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide such a panel member which may be selectively removed without damage to the other panel members of the structure.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a unique clip member for supporting such a panel member.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art as a detailed description of a particular embodiment proceeds with reference to the drawings which form a part hereof, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a cross-sectional view taken through an exemplary installation embodying the instant invention;

FIGURE 2 is a partial perspective view of a support member for securing panel members in accordance with this invention;

3,347,009 Patented Oct. 17, 1967 FIGURE 3 is an exploded .detailed view of the clip member shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 illustrating several modifications; and

FIGURE .5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of supporting member shown in FIGURE 4.

An exemplary installation embodying the concepts of this invention is illustrated in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, wherein a plurality of panel members 10 are shown attached at a desired location in a building structure. While panel members 10 may be attached at any desired location and at any angle to the ground, the exemplary installation shown forms horizontally oriented siding for a vertical wall. The panel members are held in place on clip members 11 in a manner to be detailed hereinafter. As shown, the clip members 11 are in turn secured on a supporting member 12, which is secured to a suitable structural member 13 of the building construction.

It will be evident that in the application illustrated in FIGURE 1, the support members 12 are vertically disposed for the full height of the building structure for which panel members 10 are desired, and are spaced across the width of the wall of the building structure at intervals corresponding to, or less than, the width of the panel members 10. Thus, the panel members 10 may be installed on the support members in such a manner that each panel member is in overlapping relationship to the panel member above and below, and in either closely abutting or overlapping relationship with the panel member at either side.

The support member 12 and the clips 11 are shown in more detail in FIGURE 2. The support member 12 may take a variety of designs; the one shown comprises a roll-formed channel having inwardly turned flanges 14. The support member 12 is secured to the building structure at the desired intervals as by nails 15, which pass through suitable apertures in the support member 12. Secured to the support member 12 at the desired intervals are a plurality of clip members 11, each having retaining portions 16 and 17 projecting outwardly from the support member 12. While the manner of securing the clip member 11 to the support member 12 may take any desired form, that shown is by positioning portions of a separately fabricated clip member 11 within the flanges 14 and r then deforming portions 18 of the flanges 14 on either side of the clip member in order to secure the clip member 11 in the desired position.

As can be seen in FIGURE 1, each of the clip members 11 secures the lower end of one panel member 10 and the upper end of an adjacent panel member 10. The details of this construction are best seen in FIGURE 3 of the drawings. As there shown, clip member 11 comprises in general a first retaining portion 16 and a second retaining portion 17. A panel member 10 is suspended from the first retaining portion 16 and held from slipping out of position by cooperating curved portions 19 on retaining portion 16 and 20 on the panel member 10. Spaced above and outwardly from the first retaining portion 16 is the second retaining portion 17, having a first interior edge 21, an inwardly directed edge 22, and a recess 23. The lower edge of the panel member 10 in contact with the second retaining portion 17 includes an inturned portion 24, and an outwardly directed, reversely bent portion 25. The portion 25 of panel member 10 constitutes a spring element which may flex upon movement against the second retaining portion 17. In the full line position wardly, in which case the portion 25 of the panel member is flexed outwardly by the enlarged portion 22 and into the recess 23 of clip 11, shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 2. By virtue of the spring characteristics of the portion 25, the panel member 10 is held in its elevated position until pulled downwardly, as by inserting a suitable tool into an opening 26 in the inturned portion 24. The hole 26 may additionally serve as a weep hole for drainage of liquids that may enter the space between panel member 10 and the building structure.

It will be evident that for a closely abutting relationship of side-by-side panel members, abutting ends of-two adjacent panel members may be secured to two closely adjacent clip members, or on a single common clip member. Where an overlapping relationship is desired, one or both ends of a panel member may be notched by removing segments of the end portions and 24, leaving an extending tab portion comprising the remainder of the side edge of the panel member. This tab portion may then be inserted behind the corresponding portion of the adjacent panel member, resulting in the desired overlapping relationship.

Considering now the removal of a damaged panel member, it is to be noted that as the lower end of any given panel member 10 is moved upwardly, the upper end of such panel member 10 also moves upwardly. Space for such upward movement of the upper end 20 of a panel member is allowed for by providing a space in the clip member 11 below a portion 27 joining the retaining portion 17 to the retaining portion 16. Thus, as shown in the full line positions of FIGURE 3, in their normal positions a lower end of panel member 10 blocks removal of the upper end 20 of an adjacent panel member 10 from removal off the first retaining portion 16. However, if it is desired to remove one of the panel members 10, the adjacent panel member 10 is pushed upwardly into the dotted line position 24, which. necessarily moves the lower end 24 out of blocking relationship to the upper end 20 of an adjacent panel. During such motion the upper end of the panel. 10 which has been moved will move upwardly in the fashion shown by the dotted lines 20'. For installations where panel members are in abutting relationship to the panel members on either side, the damaged panel 10 may then be removed by merely swinging its upper end 20 as shown in full lines of FIGURE 3 away from the first retaining portion 16 and disengaging its lower end 24 from the retaining portion 17 of the adjacent clip securing its lower portion. A new panel may then be substituted for the damaged panel, the adjacent panel member 10 moved back into blocking relationship by pulling down upon the portion 24, as by inserting a tool into the aperture 26. Where the Panel member on either side is in overlapping relationship to the damaged panel, such panel member may also be moved upwardly to disconnect it from its clip members so that the tab portion of the damaged panel may be removed.

While the panel members may be of any desired material, aluminum has been found to yield highly desirable characteristics, especially for outside siding, including resistance to the elements and ease of maintenance. The instant invention assures continuous electrical conductivity throughout the installation, for purposes of establishing an electrical ground. The upper and lower edges of each of the panel members may be left unpainted, the contact between these ends and the clip members supporting them thus establishing electrical conductivity throughout the adjacent panel members. The abutting or overlapping relationship of the panel members on each side, previously described, establishes electrical conductivity throughout the installation.

While various modifications of the structure described above will be evident to those skilled in the art, two modifications which have been found to be particularly expeditious are illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5 of the drawings. As can be seen in FIGURE 5, wherein ana g0 ls structure is identified by the same numbers used in FIG- URE 3 but primed, the support 12' may comprise a simple flanged strap member from which the portions 17' and 16 of the clip 11 are struck out, thus simplifying the construction of the clip and ensuring that it is properly located. In order to equalize the forces on the support member 12', alternate clips 11' maybe struck out of the strap in opposite directions, e.g., to the left rather than to the right as illustrated-in FIGURE 5. As will be evident from FIGURE 4, the function of the clip member 11' is the same as that for the clip member 11.

As is also illustrated in FIGURE 4, the panel members 10' maybe sodesigned as to have their portions intermediate their end portions parallel to the support member, rather than sloped as shown in FIGURE 3; such a design is especially desirable where the panel members are to be applied in vertical relationship.

Having now seen how a selected panelof the finished installation may be removed-and replaced, the manner in which the panels are initially installed will be evident. Taking the installation of horizontally oriented panel members men a vertical wall as being exemplary, a level chalk line may be struck at any; multiple of the desired height of the panel members 10, beginning at the lowest point on the building where wood construction meetsthe foundation masonry. The support members 12 may then be installed in vertical relationship spaced on centers corresponding to or less than, length of the panel members 10, the lower ends being placed as near to the wood and masonry joining as possible while lining up the lower edge of the clip attached thereto nearest the chalk line. The support members 12 may then be nailed to any suitable structural member of the building structure, for example struts.

The first panel member 10 may then be installed over the first and second clip members at the bottom endof two adjacent support members. The bottom edge 24 of the panel member 10 would be hooked into position first, and the top 20 slid over the ledge on the clip mem-.

ber next above. This operation would be repeated up the side of the building, the lower edge 24 of each panel member 10 retaining the upper edge 20 of the panel member 10 below.

If additional rows of panel members are required, the above operation may be merely repeated where an abutting relationship between side-by-side panel members is desired. Where an overlappingrelationship is desired, selected panel members may be notched as disclosed hereinbefore, and the tab portions inserted. behind the first row, the operation being repeated as required.

It will be evident that by suitable modification of the above-described installation, panel members may be installed in a variety of positions on a building structure. For example, the support members may instead be attached to walls in horizontally spaced relationship, and the panel members attached thereto form vertically oriented siding. Similarly, the support members may be attached to flat or sloping portionsof the roof, and panel members attached to form shingles.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the illustrations described and shown herein which are deemedto be merely illustrative of the best modes of carrying out the invention, and which are susceptible of modifications of form, size arrangement of parts and detail of operation, but rather is intended to encompass all such modifications which are within the spirit and scope of the invention asset forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a building structure, the combination of (A) a plurality of spaced-apart support members,

(B) a plurality of panel members in end overlapping relationship, each of said panel members having an inturned first end and an inturned second end,

(C) each of said support members having a plurality of spaced clip members, each of said clip members having (1) first retaining means securing a first end of one of said panel members to said support members,

(2) second retaining means securing a second end of an adjacent panel member to said support members in overlapping relation of said panels selectively blocking removal of said first end of one of said panel members from said first retaining means, said second retaining means being in spaced, non-contacting relationship relative to said first retaining means,

(3) said second retaining means having a first portion securing the said second end of the adjacent panel member in a first position immediately adjacent said first retaining means, and

(4) said second retaining means having a second for portion securing the said second end of another of said panel members in a second position spaced whereby the adjacent panel can be moved upwardly to move the second end of the adjacent panel from the first securing portion to the second securing portion on said second retaining means, said upward movement of the adjacent panel causing a vertical separation between the overlapping ends of the adjacent panel and the panel to be removed from said first retaining portion on said clip member.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said second retaining means further includes a space adjacent said first retaining means allowing for movement of the said first end of one of said panel members.

3. In a building structure, the combination of (A) a wall member,

(B) a plurality of vertically disposed support members secured to said wall member,

(C) a plurality of clip members secured to each of said support members at predetermined vertically spaced intervals, each of said clip members having (1) a first retaining portion,

(2) a second retaining portion in spaced, noncontacting relationship relative to said first retaining portion,

(D) a plurality of panel members,

(1) the upper ends of each of said panel members being suspended from a first retaining portion of one of said clip members,

(2) the lower ends of each of said panel members being secured to a second retaining portion of another of said clip members in overlapping relation to the panel end therebelow, thereby selectively blocking removal of the upper ends of the panel member therebelow,

whereby a selected one of said panel members may be removed by moving the panel member next above out of its overlapping relation to the end of the panel to be removed, thereby permitting disengagement of the upper end of the panel to be removed from said first retaining portion on said clip member.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein each of said clip members includes a recess above said first retaining means allowing for upward motion of the upper end of the panel member secured thereto.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said second retaining portion of each of said clip members includes (A) a lower portion securing the lower end of the panel member secured thereto against outward move ment and in blocking relationship to the upper end of the panel member secured to said first retaining portion,

(B) an upper portion securing the lower end of the panel member secured thereto against outward movement in an elevated position out of blocking relation to the upper end of the panel member secured to said first retaining portion.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,128,495 8/1938 Murphy 52520 2,511,074 6/1950 Miller 52545 2,632,538 3/1953 Schmidt 52545 X 2,642,968 6 /1953 Roush 52520 2,664,978 1/1954 Fox 52551 X 2,853,163 9/1958 Lockwood 52-530 3,110,130 11/1963 Trachtenberg 52404 X 3,131,513 5/1964 Grigas 52551 3,236,016 2/1966 Koenigshof 52551 X 3,236,932 2/1966 Grigas 52-522 3,289,365 12/ 1966 McLaughlin 52-173 HENRY C. SUTHERLAND, Primary Examiner.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Examiner.

M. W. WARNECKE, Assistant Examiner. 

3. IN A BUILDING STRUCTURE, THE COMBINATION OF (A) A WALL MEMBER, (B) A PLURALITY OF VERTICALLY DISPOSED SUPPORT MEMBERS SECURED TO SAID WALL MEMBER, (C) A PLURALITY OF CLIP MEMBERS SECURED TO EACH OF SAID SUPPORT MEMBERS AT PREDETERMINED VERTICALLY SPACED INTERVALS, EACH OF SAID CLIP MEMBERS HAVING (1) A FIRST RETAINING PORTION, (2) A SECOND RETAINING PORTION IN SPACED, NONCONTACTING RELATIONSHIP RELATIVE TO SAID FIRST RETAINING PORTION, (D) A PLURALITY OF PANEL MEMBERS, (1) THE UPPER ENDS OF EACH OF SAID PANEL MEMBERS BEING SUSPENDED FROM A FIRST RETAINING PORTION OF ONE OF SAID CLIP MEMBERS, (2) THE LOWER ENDS OF EACH OF SAID PANEL MEMBERS BEING SECURED TO A SECOND RETAINING PORTION OF ANOTHER OF SAID CLIP MEMBERS IN OVERLAPPING RELATION TO THE PANEL END THEREBELOW, THEREBY SESELECTIVELY BLOCKING REMOVAL OF THE UPPER ENDS OF THE PANEL MEMBER THEREBELOW, WHEREBY A SELECTED ON OF SAID PANEL MEMBERS MAY BE REMOVED BY MOVING THE PANEL MEMBER NEXT ABOVE OUT OF ITS OVERLAPPING RELATION TO THE END OF THE PANEL TO BE REMOVED, THEREBY PERMITTING DISENGAGEMENT OF THE UPPER END OF THE PANEL TO BE REMOVED FROM SAID FIRST RETAINING PORTION ON SAID CLIP MEMBER. 